Destinations
Everyone Is In Our Thoughts
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has expressed sympathy for the loss of life and hardship following the passage of Hurricane Irma and has urged Caribbean residents and visitors in the projected path of the storm to take continued precautions as it makes its way through parts of the northern Caribbean. In a statement, CHTA's director general Frank Comito warned that the Category 5 hurricane was packing winds of 180 miles per hour, and the effects of the storm were already evident on the dual-island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Barthélemy (St. Barts), and Barbuda,...
All Systems Go For Transat Winter Program
School's back for Ontario travel agents interested in Transat's winter offerings. The tour operator – along with partners Melia Hotels International Cuba and Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts – Tuesday night began in Toronto what it's billing as Ontario Training Academies, workshops that familiarize agents with the tour operator's winter sun program and to a lesser degree its Europe program. “We're really focusing on training – training the agent, education, getting them to meet our hoteliers face to face,” Denise Heffron, Transat Tours Canada's vice-president, national...
Antigua Open For Business Post Irma
Antigua has successfully coped with Hurricane Irma, defying the worst predictions of disaster. According to officials, there was no loss of life and the local population and all visitors are safe. Most residential, business and hotel properties remain largely unscathed and main roads have already been cleared of the debris of fallen trees. The VC Bird International Airport will be open by 2 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) today (Sept. 6) to accommodate arriving and departing aircraft and passengers. Visitors are encouraged to contact the relevant airlines and tour operators if their...
Visit Florida Ready To Take Back Canada
Visit Florida was “asleep at the wheel” while Canadian visitation submarined over 15 consecutive quarters but a “major initiative” is in the works to kick-start a rebound after “taking the market for granted,” reports Quebec editor, Mike Dunbar in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. Those were the frank admissions and sincere promise made by Visit Florida executive Nelson Mongiovi during last week’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Hollywood. The interim chief marketing officer told a packed breakout session that he wanted to “separate fact from...
Air Canada Expands Dreamliner Service From YVR
Air Canada has announced the strategic expansion of its international network from Vancouver with new services launching in June to Paris and Zurich, and the start of year-round flights to Melbourne. All flights will be available for purchase starting Sept. 6. In addition, Air Canada is increasing its non-stop Delhi flights from Vancouver that resume Oct. 14, with up to five times weekly service for the 2017/2018 season, and increasing its London-Heathrow service with twice-daily flights for summer 2018. “We continue to strategically broaden our international network from our...
Contiki Goes In-Depth Into Asia in 2018
With the launch of its new 2018 Asia program, Contiki has added a new 10-day “In-Depth Discoverer” trip to India entitled, Southern Spice, as well as an improved China Adventure and Big Indochina itineraries. To help agents entice their clients to experience Asia, clients can save up to $580 or 10% when they book and pay in full by Nov. 30 on trips departing on or after April 1, 2018. Contiki’s new 2018 Asia program continues to offer four unique accommodation styles including central hotels, beach-side resorts and unique “Special Stays” such as jungle tree houses and...
Spotlight on Mexico’s Yucatan
Rosa Elena Vermont Ricalde wants to dispel any confusion Canadians may have over her Mexican state and resort destinations on Mexico's Caribbean coast. Vermont Ricalde, with the state's tourist board, notes the state of Yucatan makes up part of the Yucatan Peninsula, as does the state of Quintana Roo, home to hugely popular Cancun and the Riviera Maya. “I know many when they hear Yucatan they think of Cancun and the Riviera Maya,” she told a Wednesday Toronto gathering. Vermont Ricalde said the state of Yucatan has numerous tourist draws, among them the archeological site of...
Unique Vacations Team Tries Jamaica’s Latest
Before heading to the annual Sandals Global Sales Conference held recently at Sandals South Coast, the Unique Vacations Canada sales team took a detour and dropped in at the Island Routes World Centre in Montego Bay for an exclusive look at the hottest new tour in Jamaica. The first of its kind on the island, MINI-Routes offers self-driving, scenic tours from Montego Bay to Negril and Ocho Rios in a convoy of MINI-Coopers. With an expert guide in the lead car, guests can soak in Jamaica’s history, culture, cuisine and natural beauty all while making pit-stops at local hot spots and...